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State of the Second

Gun Owners of America
Second Amendment
Gun Owners Of America
GOA
Forge Relations
Patriot Mobile
Palmetto State Armory
Cakes Concealed Carry
Second Amendment Politics
Gundies
Suppressors
Guns
Rock Island Armory
Laser Ammo
Right To Bear
Canik USA
Special Operations Wounded Warriors
Goat Guns
Second Amendment Advocacy
Caliber Row
Concealed Carry

"State of the Second isn’t your typical 2A podcast—it’s a backstage pass into the firearms industry. Hosted by Kailey Nieman and John Fahrner, we sit down with the real people behind the brands, builds, and big ideas shaping the gun world. From shop owners to social media legends, each episode dives into how they got started, what keeps them going, and what it really takes to make it in the firear... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes139Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessGovernment

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Artwork for State of the Second

Latest Episodes

This week, John and Kailey sit down with Jim of Steyr Arms to get into the AUG's rise to one of the most-fielded rifles in the world, the surprising Steyr link to the Mercedes G-Wagon, the new AREX pistol collaboration, and the engineering behind the... more

This week, John and Nate from Nine Line Apparel are back for round two, and it goes everywhere: the new Gun Owners of America x Nine Line collab, why Gen Z is rediscovering patriotism, and the right way to welcome a first-time shooter to the range. P... more

This week, John and Kailey sit down with Drew and Jeremy from One Horse to talk about building a 100% American-made AR that any gun owner can afford, and to drop a major announcement you won't want to miss.

From 13 years at Anderson to launching the... more

Alex from Caliber Row joins hosts Kaylee and John to talk about what she calls one of the coolest jobs in the firearms industry: photographing and filming brands. Alex runs Caliber Row, where she specializes in photography, videography, and brand mar... more

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Recent Guests

Tony Simon
Founder of 2A Diversity Shooter, NRA instructor and advocate
2A Diversity Shooter
Episode: How New Jersey Tries to Destroy Gun Owners (ft. Tony Simon)
John McClain
Rock Island Armory executive and national training manager; former shooter and advocate
Rock Island Armory
Episode: The Gun That Could Change Recoil Forever (ft. Rock Island Armory)
Roy Harrell
Former deputy sheriff, firearms instructor, and channel co-creator continuing Paul Harrell's legacy
Harrell Brothers in Arms / Paul Harrell channel
Episode: The Harrell Approach: Practical, Not Trendy (ft. Roy Harrell)
Anna Taylor
Founder and CEO of Dean Adams
Dean Adams
Episode: The Mom Who Reinvented Concealed Carry (ft. Anna Taylor)
Joe Farewell
Former law enforcement officer, SWAT sniper team leader, firearms instructor and competitive shooter
Farewell Firearms Training
Episode: What High-Level Training Really Gives You (ft. Farewell Firearms)
Dianna Muller
Retired law enforcement officer, professional competitive shooter, Second Amendment advocate
DC Project; Women for Gun Rights
Episode: Educate, Not Legislate: The Teal Shirt Strategy Explained (ft. Dianna Muller)
Ryan Spadfore
Founder, Atrius Development Group
Atrius Development Group
Episode: The Real Purpose of the Second Amendment (ft. Atrius Development)
Tampkin Collins
Owner of Cakes Concealed Carry (women-owned brand for stylish concealed carry bags)
Cakes Concealed Carry
Episode: First Woman on the USA Overall Team (ft. Jalise Williams)
Johnny Q
Firearms content creator known for education-focused videos and gear insights
Independent creator, audience education on firearms
Episode: How he took a “Non-Gun” Audience to Guns (ft. Johnny Q)

Hosts

John Fahrner
Co-host and industry-focused host; long-running presenter with GOA-backed content
Kailey Nieman
Co-host with a focus on brand storytelling, marketing, and women-focused discourse in the 2A space

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 47 ratings
  • One of only a handful

    State of the second is one of the most well-informed gun rights podcasts. The hosts know what they are talking about and tell it like it is.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Diller Farmz
    United States6 months ago
  • I enjoy it

    Sometimes not being a professional is a good thing. Interviews are more like conversations than a sit down talk. Makes for better listening, as well

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WP SMITH
    United States2 years ago
  • Awesome podcast and even more awesome 2A podcast

    This is my favorite 2A podcast after trying almost all of them. This one quickly rose to the top. Content, conversations and context are all awesome. Thank you for all you do for the 2A.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AbeRomano
    United States2 years ago
  • Informative and entertaining!

    I already followed GOA and supported them. But I’ve learned so much more about litigation, the industry, self defense, and the second amendment as a whole since the introduction of this podcast. I’ve enjoyed every episode, I’ve been introduced to wonderful companies in the firearms industry, and I’ve learned learned a lot about domestic abuse from the newest episode at this time with Kerry from we the female, someone I already followed and admired. I’m always anticipating the next episode. 10 ou... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    qte_contrary
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Well-informed and candid about gun rights and industry dynamics.
A top pick for listeners seeking education on industry players and advocacy.
Conversations feel more like practical discussions than formal interviews.
Listeners praise educational depth and real-world examples across brands and training.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Coolest Job in the Firearms Industry (ft. caliber.row)
Q: What is it like going from a non-firearms industry into the firearms industry, and what about being a woman entering this space?
Alex discusses early challenges, earning respect through demonstrated competence, and notes that the industry is gradually becoming more inclusive with more women entering and contributing meaningfully.
The Coolest Job in the Firearms Industry (ft. caliber.row)
Q: So what got you into not only photography, but into the photography and videography in the firearm space?
Alex explains a career path from Chicago fashion photography into firearms branding, highlighting a willingness to take risks, build credibility, and eventually lead shoots for major brands while embracing safety and storytelling.
How a Single Patch Built a Whole Business (ft. Patch Ops)
Q: What role does community and humor play in your brand?
Community feedback drives most designs, humor helps navigate controversy without alienating audiences, and they aim to stay accessible and authentic while advocating for Second Amendment rights.
How a Single Patch Built a Whole Business (ft. Patch Ops)
Q: How do you decide what patches to make and how quickly can you respond to trends?
The team leverages a talented graphics group and 3 a.m. idea generation, turning ideas into designs by morning and launching patches as limited runs or pre-orders once designs prove popular, effectively using fast iteration and customer input as a competitive edge.
How a Single Patch Built a Whole Business (ft. Patch Ops)
Q: Tell us how Patch Ops got started and a history of the company.
Patch Ops began when a Marine Corps MOS patch need sparked a personal effort to produce patches, growing from a small personal project into a company that serves a broader community, including women in the 2A space, with a culture of rapid design and social engagement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About State of the Second

What is State of the Second about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A backstage-pass look into the firearms industry, featuring deep-dive conversations with brand founders, instructors, and industry insiders. Across episodes, listeners hear how companies design and market innovative gun-related products, navigate regulation, and build communities around 2A advocacy. Topics frequently center on entrepreneurship in a heavily regulated space, practical training and safety, women's participation in shooting sports, storytelling and marketing in the gun world, and the evolving media and event landscape that shapes brand growth. Notable through-lines include education over sensationalism, community-driven outreach, and sponsorship ecosystems that tie brands to broader advocacy efforts and industry events.

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How many listeners does State of the Second get?

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Which podcasts are similar to State of the Second?

These podcasts share a similar audience with State of the Second:

1. Gun Talk
2. Concealed Carry Podcast - Guns | Training | Defense | CCW
3. The Colion Noir Podcast
4. The Hornady Podcast
5. Vortex Nation Podcast

How many episodes of State of the Second are there?

State of the Second launched 3 years ago and published 139 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact State of the Second?

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What guests have appeared on State of the Second?

Recent guests on State of the Second include:

1. Tony Simon
2. John McClain
3. Roy Harrell
4. Anna Taylor
5. Joe Farewell
6. Dianna Muller
7. Ryan Spadfore
8. Tampkin Collins

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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